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    Why is Lewis Hamilton No 44 at Mercedes? Brit superstar’s ‘lucky’ number origin explained

    SEVEN-TIME Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has revealed why he drives with the No44 on his car.Hamilton has stuck with the same number ever since F1 drivers were first allowed to pick their digits in 2014.
    Lewis Hamilton has always stuck with the No44 on his car and has now revealed whyCredit: AFP
    That’s despite having the chance to switch to No1 on six different occasions.
    The reigning champion from the previous season is reserved No1 – should they choose to take it.
    But Hamilton has never done so, instead always sticking with the, perhaps unusual, choice of No44.
    Although there is a very personal reason as to why he dons that number year in, year out.
    He revealed to PETRONAS Motorsports: “When I started racing when I was eight, the number plate on my dad’s car – he had this red Cavalier – was F44.
    “So he used 44 – it was his idea. And then it became the family lucky number.”
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    He is so attached to the number Mercedes quashed rumours of Hamilton from F1 by tweeting: “No44 is back.”
    Talk had been rife that the Brit was mulling retirement following the dramatic finale to the 2021 season, where he lost out on a record eighth title to Max Verstappen in hugely controversial circumstances.
    Now he is set to be behind the wheel for Mercedes when the F1 2022 calendar gets underway in Bahrain on March 20.
    But Hamilton is not the only F1 driver with personal reasons for their choice of numbers.
    Verstappen is set to race with No1 this season, but was No33 in the past because his favourite number is three, according to Sportscasting.
    Although when the No3 was taken upon his entry to F1 Verstappen simply chose to add another to make No33.
    Elsewhere Sebastien Vettel opts for the No5 because it’s the same number he had during a successful go-karting season in 2001.
    And Lance Stroll races with No18 because it was the number he had when he won the F3 and F4 titles. More

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    F1 team Williams unveil striking car look for new season but not all fans are happy with change of style

    WILLIAMS have officially unveiled their FW44 car for the 2022 Formula One campaign… but it’s not up to everyone’s standards.The F1 team are the sixth outfit to release their new vehicle ahead of the season opener in Bahrain on March 20.
    Williams have officially unveiled their FW44 car for the 2022 seasonCredit: Instagram / @williamsracing
    The dramatic design has divided opinion among fansCredit: Instagram / @williamsracing
    And in a change to last year’s livery, this one is almost entirely blue and punctuated by red trimming.
    It’s a striking design when compared to last season’s car, which was a lighter shade of blue and mainly white at the front.
    However, after finishing eighth out of 10 in the Constructors’ standings in 2021, fans are still doubtful of Williams’ chances this year following the reveal.
    One slammed: “It’s like you wanna remain as backmarkers with that livery.”
    Another quipped: “I was right, a complete let down. I was wrong, not same livery as last year, it’s worse. Generic and character-less AF.”
    Others though were hugely supportive of the new design.
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    Williams’ new car is a mainly blue design completed with red trimmingCredit: Instagram / @williamsracing
    The 16-time Constructors’ Championship winners will be hoping the new livery inspires them to victoryCredit: Instagram / @williamsracing
    BT Sport presenter Jake Humphrey led the compliments, writing: “I love it. Always my favourite F1 outfit.”
    Meanwhile another impressed supporter added: “It’s such a good looking car wow!”
    Williams will be eager to improve on their eighth place finish from last season following back-to-back years at bottom of the pile before that.
    Former driver George Russell won’t be behind the wheel after being called up to partner Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.
    Instead, Nicholas Latifi and Alex Albon will be the two men responsible for driving the eye catching FW44.
    Elsewhere, Mercedes are set to unveil their car on Friday.
    And Lewis Hamilton WILL be in attendance after retirement rumours following the dramatic 2021 season were finally quashed last week.
    But new boy Russell has already put Merc’s rivals on red alert after claiming it needs ‘a huge amount of improvement’. More

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    Red Bull advisor admits ‘big hurdles’ in developing Verstappen’s car for 2022 and reveals team are still working on it

    RED BULL have faced ‘big hurdles’ in preparing the car Max Verstappen will use in his Formula One title defence.Team advisor Helmut Marko told Austrian publication Kleine Zeitung the sport’s new financial restrictions and sweeping technical changes have proved challenging.
    Red Bull boss Christian Horner, driver Max Verstappen and team consultant Helmut Marko are preparing for the new F1 seasonCredit: Getty
    Red Bull have released promotional images of their new RB18 carCredit: Getty
    Marko also said the intense season-long battle against Mercedes and their main man Lewis Hamilton for the the Drivers’ and Constructors’ 2021 titles had been tough to juggle alongside car development.
    He explained: “We faced two or three big hurdles.
    “It was the biggest change in regulations in the last 15 or 20 years.
    “All the new designs and planning had to be done within the budget cap.
    “And then we were fighting for a World Championship and had to move the new car forward at the same time.”
    Red Bull recently unveiled its all-new F1 car – the RB18 – for the 2022 season.
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    Marko said that unveiling was important in terms of sponsors, but that there is plenty of work still to be done on the RB18 before the new campaign gets underway in Bahrain next month.
    He added: “That was a presentation for the time being, it’s especially important for our partners.
    “The first roll-out will take place later. And until the first race in Bahrain, there will be some changes.
    “We don’t reveal everything at the presentation, there are still some updates to come.” More

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    F1 chiefs confirm just THREE sprint races in 2022 with points for top eight – and winning race WON’T be enough for pole

    FORMULA ONE bosses have announced the decision to HALF the number of sprint races in 2022 from six to three. Pleas from F1 teams not to increase the number of sprint races have been successful, with events pencilled in for Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands all scrapped.
    The FIA have announced a number of changes to the format of sprint racesCredit: AP
    Instead just three sprint races will go ahead in 2022, the same number as 2021.
    Feedback from the media and fans, as well as F1 teams themselves, have prompted a change of plan from race chiefs.
    The name has also been officially changed from ‘sprint qualifying’ to just ‘the sprint’.
    And finishing first no longer guarantees the official crown of ‘pole position’, with that honour instead going to the fastest driver in Friday’s qualifying.
    But the result of the Saturday sprint will still determine the order of the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
    Meanwhile, the grid for the sprint races will be decided by the fastest times in Friday’s qualifying.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Motorsport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    There will also be a point-scoring system for the top-eight sprint finishers, allocated 8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 from first to eighth.
    That’s in a bid to encourage a strong performance on Saturdays of race weekends.
    Last year points were only awarded to the top three drivers on a 3-2-1 basis from first to third.
    The British, Italian and Brazilian GP’s were the venues for the sprint races last season.
    Italy and Brazil have retained the honour for 2022, but instead of Silverstone it will be Austria to host the first sprint this year.
    Just finishing first in the sprint won’t be enough for the official title of ‘pole position’, but the winner will be P1 on the grid in Sunday’s raceCredit: AP
    An FIA statement announcing the changes read: “Following a review of the three sprint events that took place in 2021 and a recognition by all that the format created positive benefits for the sport,
    “Three sprint events were proposed for 2022, acknowledging this as a sensible number in light of the pressures already on the teams for this season with the introduction of major changes to the regulations.
    “The Commission unanimously approved the three sprint events for the coming season, incorporating a number of updates to the format based on the feedback of fans, media and teams.”
    Disagreements over the finances involved for the sprint races had led to suggestions that they could be scrapped entirely.
    But the statement added: “Cost Cap adjustments for sprint events will remain unchanged from 2021.”
    🏁 F1 2022 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info More

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    F1 chiefs delay publishing report into Michael Masi’s Abu Dhabi GP blunder – but hint he will STAY ON as race director

    FIA bosses have held fire on publishing their report into Michael Masi’s cock-up in Abu Dhabi – but have given a massive hint the Aussie will be spared the axe.Masi failed to obey safety car rules in the season finale, resulting in Max Verstappen passing Lewis Hamilton on the final lap to win the race and the F1 title.
    Michael Masi is expected to stay on in his role as race directorCredit: Getty
    Masi’s handling of the GP – and other incidents in 2021 – has led to calls for him to be sacked.
    However, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem unveiled his findings at a meeting of the F1 Commission in London on Monday and said that a report would be made in the “coming days” on “structural changes”.
    It is widely believed that against Hamilton and Mercedes’s wishes, Masi will be retained but offered the additional help of a deputy, who will act as a buffer between Masi and the teams.
    An investigation into the Abu Dhabi GP took place with the FIA hearing how Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley seemed to influence Masi’s decision making.
    Wheatley is heard telling Masi: “Those lapped cars — you don’t need to let them go right the way around and catch up with the back of the pack.
    “You only need to let them go and then we’ve got a motor race on our hands.”
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    Masi replies: “Understood.” He then follows the suggestion.
    To add insult to injury for disgruntled Mercedes, after their boss Toto Wolff complained about the result, he said: “Toto, it’s called a motor race, OK?”
    Head of F1 at the FIA Peter Bayer, who is overseeing the inquiry, previously admitted Masi could be replaced by a new race director.
    He said: “Michael did a super job in many ways. We told him that.
    “But also that there is a possibility there could be a new race director.” More

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    Christian Horner and stern looking Toto Wolff come face-to-face for first time since Abu Dhabi Grand Prix controversy

    MERCEDES CEO Toto Wolff and Red Bull chief Christian Horner are set to come face-to-face today.Wolff and Horner will meet at the annual Formula One Commission in London for the first time since the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix’s controversial ending.
    Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff arrived with a stern look on his face for the meetingCredit: Sky Sports
    Christian Horner is set to meet Toto Wolff for the first time since the Abu Dhabi Grand PrixCredit: Sky Sports
    The two team principals arrived at the sport’s HQ in Piccadilly.
    Wolff had a stern look on his face that suggested the season finale still leaves a very sour taste for him and his driver Lewis Hamilton.
    F1 teams will be brought up to speed on the FIA’s investigation into under-fire race director Michael Masi.
    Masi ignored safety car rules resulting in Red Bull superstar Max Verstappen winning the final race of the season and the title.
    The result meant Hamilton was pipped to a record-breaking eighth world drivers’ title on the final lap in the United Arab Emirates.
    One solution is sacking Masi, but there is a growing feeling that he will be saved and offered a deputy to help with the decision-making and act as a buffer between Race Control and the pitwall.
    The FIA will also try to appease teams who questioned their inconsistent decision-making and application of the rules last term.
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    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}LATEST IN SUN BINGO AND VEGAS.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
    Mercedes want to see significant changes ahead of the new season.
    And Wolff will be very interested to hear what the sport’s bigwigs have planned ahead of the next campaign.
    Drivers won’t attend but the FIA have previously promised to hold ‘open discussions’ with them.
    Toto Wolff saw Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton losing a controversial Abu Dhabi GPCredit: Getty
    Red Bull Chief Christian Horner will be at the annual Formula One commissionCredit: Getty More

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    Lewis Hamilton’s F1 return officially CONFIRMED as Mercedes quash retirement talk with brilliant tweet

    LEWIS HAMILTON’S return to F1 has been finally been confirmed by Mercedes after months of waiting.The seven-time F1 champion lost last season’s championship in controversial fashion to rival Max Verstappen.
    Hamilton will compete in the upcoming F1 seasonCredit: TWITTER: MERCEDES
    The Brit is chasing a record breaking eighth world titleCredit: PA
    A stunning safety car decision saw Verstappen pip Hamilton to the title on the final lap, a decision which has been widely criticised.
    Hamilton stayed quiet in the past few months, fuelling talk of an early retirement.
    But Mercedes have officially confirmed Hamilton will be RETURNING.
    Merc tweeted: “No44 is back.”
    Hamilton will be searching to win a record breaking eighth F1 title, surpassing legend Michael Schumacher.
    The announcement has sent F1 twitter into a frenzy with one fan saying: “I never thought a picture could make me so emotional.”
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Motorsport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    Another quipped: “Forget Valentine’s day. It’s Sir Lewis’ day now!”
    Hamilton will have a new team-mate in George Russell after Valtteri Bottas left for Alfa Romeo.
    But Brit Russell hasn’t given Merc’s new car a glowing report with the season due to get underway in just over a month.
    The former Williams ace told Mercedes’ YouTube channel: “First impressions of W13 have been interesting. 
    “It’s a very different car to the previous era – and the characteristics of how the downforce is completely different so we’re still learning as we are going.”
    He added: “There’s still a huge amount of improvement to be made to bring everything together and make it as nice as possible to drive.
    “I foresee a lot of people being in the same boat.

    🏁 F1 2022 calendar: practice times, dates and racetrack info
    “We’re just learning so much day after day, whether it be in the winter or in the simulator and I think it’s going to be a year of development.
    “I think everyone wants to go into the first race and have the fastest car possible.
    “But what will be more important is understanding what your limitations are and how you’re going to improve from those limitations to build the best foundation possible.” More

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    Findings of F1 probe into Masi’s controversial Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen call at Abu Dhabi to be revealed today

    FORMULA ONE teams will today be brought up to speed on the FIA’s investigation into under-fire race director Michael Masi.The F1 Commission will hold a meeting at the sport’s HQ in Piccadilly where SunSport understands an update will be given on the probe.
    British F1 legend Lewis Hamilton has been left questioning his future in the support after last season’s controversial championship win for big rival Max VerstappenCredit: PA
    F1 race director Michael Masi is at the centre of a probe looking into the events of last season’s final race in Abu DhabiCredit: Getty
    Newly appointed head of F1 Peter Bayer is due to brief team bosses and owners on their findings so far.
    He will outline solutions to ensure there is no repeat of the controversial failure at the Abu Dhabi GP in December.
    Masi ignored safety car rules resulting in Red Bull’s Max Verstappen winning the final race of the season and the F1 title – much to British legend Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes team’s frustration.
    The result meant Hamilton was pipped to a record-breaking eighth world drivers’ title on the final lap.
    One solution is firing Masi, but there is a growing feeling that he will be saved and offered a deputy to help with the decision-making and act as a buffer between Race Control and the pitwall.
    The FIA will also try to appease teams who questioned their inconsistent decision-making and application of the rules last season.
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    McLaren boss Andreas Seidl says changes need to be made to the rules to allow the FIA to rectify incorrect decisions.
    He said: “We need to accept that mistakes can happen and you actually raise your hand and admit them.
    “And then you have a mechanism in place in order to correct the consequences that such mistakes or controversies could have.
    “That is as important as trying to avoid similar controversies in the first place.”
    Here is the full line-up for the 2022 Formula 1 season
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